Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Bipartisan Majority Knocks Down Cruz's Attempt To Kill D.C.'s Version Of Individual Mandate
The Washington Post: Senate Blocks Effort To Kill D.C.’s Version Of Affordable Care Act’s Individual Mandate
Score one for D.C. The Senate rejected Sen. Ted Cruz’s effort to block the District from requiring that most residents have health insurance, thwarting — for now — Republican efforts to rein in the city’s government. Senators from both parties on Wednesday effectively killed a measure sponsored by Cruz (R-Tex.) that would have eliminated the District’s version of the individual mandate under the Affordable Care Act. (Portnoy, 8/2)
St. Louis Public Radio: Missouri's Health-Care Exchange To See Modest Rate Increases After Years Of Huge Hikes
When Missourians go to healthcare.gov to buy health insurance, they likely won't be shocked by double-digit increases this year, according to data filed Wednesday with the state’s insurance department. Three existing carriers — and one new entry into the market — will offer plans with smaller increases than previous years. (Fentem, 8/2)
Chicago Tribune: Blue Cross And Blue Shield Wants To Lower Premiums On Some Obamacare Plans It Sells In Illinois
In a dramatic change from recent years, the state’s largest health insurer is proposing lowering the premiums on many of the plans it sells through the state’s Obamacare exchange next year. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois wants to lower average rates slightly for many of its plans for individuals, by anywhere from 0.84 percent to about 1.5 percent, according to data released by the federal government Wednesday. It’s the first time Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois has proposed an average rate reduction since the exchange opened, said Blue Cross spokeswoman Colleen Miller. The insurer is proposing one average increase, to its BlueCare Direct plans, but only by 0.25 percent. (Schencker, 8/2)
